snowballing in summer

or, how an artist/housewife starts the day with good intentions but gets ambushed by stuff.


This morning I woke up thinking about my machine embroidery sampling and longing to get back to it after a busy family weekend. A friend had asked me for coffee first thing, and as she lives not too far away I planned to walk round and get some much-needed exercise, calculating that I'd be back by lunchtime and ready to start work.

Then, I remembered that we needed milk, bread and apples. Bother. There is no shop on the way to Clare's. But then I remembered my bike and my resolution to use it more! Hooray! I would go on the bike and make a detour to the shop and still be back by lunchtime because the bike is quicker.

BUT. When I got downstairs to the kitchen to make breakfast I quickly realised that a lot more eating had gone on during the weekend than I had thought. Not only bread, milk and apples, but orange juice, coffee, bananas, ham... pretty soon I had a shopping list that was falling off the back of the envelope, and far too much to carry on my bike.

Double bother, because this meant going in the car, which meant forsaking my exercise, unless I went to Clare's first and then came back and got in the car and went out again, but by this time it would be really late and eating into my sewing time.

So, reluctantly off I drove, for once remembering my mouse bags, had coffee, went to the supermarket, remembered even more things we needed, went through the whole performance of putting stuff into the trolley, getting it out, putting it in bags, putting them in the trolley, getting them out again and into the car, getting them out of the car and into the house. You know the drill.

Quick! Unpack, put away, make a cup of tea and a sandwich and off upstairs to my artroom.

BUT. When I went to put the fridge stuff away it became clear that it was already far too full of mouldy leftovers to cope with the new arrivals, and when the mouldy leftovers had been removed it became clear that many other unidentifiable things were stuck to the back of the fridge with ice crystals and... yes, you've guessed, I had no option but to defrost the thing. Not only that, but when I went to throw away the horrible mouldy stuff, the basic hygiene of the undersink cupboard was called forcefully into question and a thorough clearout and disinfecting programme became necessary.

By the time all this had been got through, it was mid-afternoon, I was suffering from an ugly blood-sugar crash, two people had left messages on the answerphone which needed a response, and a Big Problem had occurred in the lives of certain teenagers related to me which only I, apparently, could solve, and oh by the way, could they have a lift?

Excuse me a minute...

GAH!!

That's better.

I did make a start on the embroidery, but now of course I'm all cross and bothered and not at all in the calm, creative place. Maybe I need to start again tomorrow... but, horrors, what might happen then???

Exploring the edges where colours meet each other... hopefully more of this tomorrow :-)

18 comments:

Selfsewn said...

I'm glad it's not just me that gets sidetracked!
x

Gigibird said...

unless you are selfish and hard nosed this is the lot for most women….so much for women’s lib.
Hopefully tomorrow will be more settled?

Hollace said...

This is so funny and familiar! I know exactly what you are talking about because I live it, too. It's just more amusing to read it than to live it, but clearly you have a sense of humor about it or you wouldn't be able to write at all. Today your way to be creative was with words and life observances, tomorrow will be the embroidery...
Best wishes for tomorrow!

Lyn said...

....and breathe....
in the words of the wonderful Scarlet
"tomorrow is another day"
Love
Lyn
xxx

Frances said...

Oh, Sue, I might not have those family members creating the lyrics, but I do know that same tune you've heard today. Hard to find that creative time when those Other Matters just seem to leap to the front of the queue.

However, I do like the samples you've shown, and like the idea of exploring edges. Even in painting, where two colors meet is always a great opportunity for discovering something new.

xo

walter and me said...

Ack! May tomorrow bring peace, time and creativity in abundance.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Oh yes, I know this one too! It is best never to look at the inside of one's fridge I find. Better luck tomorrow!

Jackie said...

It happens to all of us. You didn't mention blog reading either...

Chrissie said...

hmmm - wasn't meant to be, was it?! better luck today and won't it be great when you open the fridge this morning!

Gilly said...

Self-defrosting fridges and freezers are one of womankinds greatest blessings!

Love that black and white thingy - reminds me of Aunt R's basket she used for shopping!

And prayers for a peaceful day!

Sue said...

Thank you for all your support and encouragement people! I'm ready to start the day again now so let's see what it brings :-)

Pipany said...

Yep, know this one well! Good luck for today x

Anonymous said...

This is the exact reason why completing my doctoral thesis has taken two years longer than it should...

It doesn't even matter if you have a relative staying and helping, because then you have to spend an equal amount of time helping them help you (sigh).

Ashbee said...

Oh no! I thought it was only me who had days, weeks even, like that! But the blue and white embroidery is lovely - the colours are very restful...good luck for tomorrow!

Squam Hill Design said...

your post describes my life to a "T"...complete with the endless inner dialogue that attempts to keep everything straight...my fingers are crossed for you, hoping tomorrow is a bit calmer.

Anonymous said...

Not just me then. :)

silverpebble said...

This did make me chuckle. It's so reassuring to read this - I chase my tail half the day!

Oh though, your little shop is very lovely.

Acornmoon said...

This is the story of my life, working from home is lovely but so many distractions and domestic issues to deal with, not to mention blogs to read!